COST vs KMB: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of September 2026, COST (Costco Wholesale Corporation) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 5 of 8 head-to-head metrics. KMB offers the higher yield at 5.20%, COST has the higher dividend-safety score, and KMB trades at the larger discount to fair value (+48%).
| Metric | COST | KMB |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 0.65% | 5.20% |
| Annual dividend | $5.88 | $5.12 |
| Payout ratio | 27% | 100% |
| Years of growth | 21 yr | 40 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 13.0% | 3.3% |
| 5-yr total return | 101% | -26% |
| Dividend safety score | 95 (A) | 77 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $426.27 | $155.25 |
| Upside to fair value | -53% | +48% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $401.2B | $32.6B |
| P/E ratio | 45.5 | 19.4 |
Higher yield
KMB
5.20%
Safer dividend
COST
Grade A
Faster growth
COST
13.0%
Better value
KMB
+48% upside
COST vs KMB — FAQ
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